Heat exchanger and associated heat exchange system for a vehicle

ABSTRACT

Heat exchanger (2, 3) for a refrigerant circulation circuit comprising at least one connection flange (5, 6) fixed to a lateral surface of said heat exchanger (2, 3), characterized in that the connection flange (5, 6) comprises a circulation channel within its structure and a transverse mechanical fixing zone (21, 22) able to cooperate with another transverse mechanical fixing zone (21, 22) of another connection flange (5, 6) of another heat exchanger (2, 3).The invention also claims a heat exchange system for a vehicle comprising two such heat exchangers (2, 3) and the respective connection flanges (5, 6) of which are able to cooperate with one another.

The present invention relates to a heat exchange system arranged on afluid distribution circuit and comprising at least one plurality of heatexchangers, each capable of carrying out an exchange of heat between anair flow passing through the heat exchange system and a fluidcirculating in this heat exchanger.

It is known to arrange such a heat exchange system on the front face ofthe vehicle, said system comprising in particular a condenser capable ofensuring heat exchange between a refrigerant circulating in thecondenser and an incident flow of fresh air coming from the exterior ofthe vehicle. It is known to produce the condenser in one piece with aseries of stacked plates forming between them, on the one hand, sealedcirculation ducts for the passage of the refrigerant, and, on the otherhand, passages for the passage of air.

A known arrangement consists in arranging a first heat exchanger as acondenser and a second heat exchanger, parallel to the first, performingthe function of a subcooler, facing a grille opening located on thefront face of the vehicle. The condenser and the subcooler areassociated with a bottle for storing the refrigerant in the liquidphase. The subcooler makes it possible to subcool the refrigerant at theoutlet of the storage bottle. The storage bottle separates the liquidphase from the gas phase of the refrigerant and ensures filtration anddehydration of the refrigerant.

A known arrangement for this system consists in placing the storagebottle laterally with respect to the heat exchangers and, on the onehand, in connecting it hydraulically to each of the exchangers viasuitable pipes and, on the other hand, in keeping it in place withrespect to the heat exchangers via a mechanical assembly securing thebottle to a structural element of the vehicle or to one of theexchangers. The use of a storage bottle in the prior art thus requiresnumerous mechanical means penalizing the size of the system and makingthe manufacture and implementation of the heat exchange system on thevehicle complex.

The present invention falls within this context and seeks to address theabovementioned drawbacks. To this end, the invention consists of a heatexchanger for a refrigerant circulation circuit comprising at least oneconnection flange fixed to a lateral surface of said heat exchanger,characterized in that the connection flange comprises a circulationchannel within its structure and a transverse mechanical fixing zoneable to cooperate with another transverse mechanical fixing zone ofanother connection flange of another heat exchanger.

The heat exchanger has a substantially rectangular, parallelepipedalshape. It comprises a bundle of circulation channels, in particularproduced by means of tubes, for the refrigerant, these circulationchannels comprising an outlet which is located at a side wall of theheat exchanger. The connection flange is secured, for example by fixingby brazing, at this fluid outlet of the heat exchanger. The refrigerant,once it has left the heat exchanger, therefore circulates subsequentlywithin the connection flange itself, via the circulation channel. Thefixing, for example by brazing, of the connection flange is configuredto make it possible to maintain the sealing between the outlet of theheat exchanger and the inlet of the circulation channel of theconnection flange in addition to ensuring the mechanical retention ofthe connection flange on the heat exchanger.

The connection flange also comprises a transverse mechanical fixingzone. By transverse is meant that the mechanical fixing zone extendstransversely with respect to the plane formed by the heat exchanger. Inother words, the connection flange comprises a body arranged in theextension of the heat exchanger and a mechanical fixing zone which formsa transverse projection of the body. The transverse mechanical fixingzone may be present at a free end opposite to the end of the connectionflange secured by the heat exchanger. The transverse mechanical fixingzone is configured to cooperate with another mechanical fixing zoneincluded on another connection flange of another heat exchanger havingproperties similar to what has been described previously.

The cooperation between the transverse mechanical fixing zones makes itpossible to ensure the position of the connection flanges between themand therefore the position of the heat exchangers with respect to oneanother, in order to ensure a separation between these heat exchangersdimensioned by calculation to allow optimum thermal efficiency in eachof the heat exchangers. Moreover, this cooperation can allow theinstallation of a storage bottle as will be described below.

According to one feature of the invention, the transverse mechanicalfixing zone comprises a bearing surface ensuring cooperation bycomplementarity of shape with the other connection flange. In otherwords, the transverse mechanical fixing zone able to cooperate with thetransverse mechanical fixing zone of the other connection flange has aparticular shape allowing a complementarity of shape during thecooperation of the connection flanges. Cooperation takes place by directcontact between the connection flanges, via the bearing surface formedin their respective mechanical fixing zone.

According to one feature of the invention, the circulation channel isformed of at least two intersecting ducts in communication.

The inlet of this circulation channel is positioned opposite one end ofthe tube bundle where the refrigerant circulates, the position of thisinlet of the circulation channel being ensured by the fixing of theconnection flange, for example by brazing, to the heat exchanger.Indeed, in order to guarantee the proper functioning of the invention,the outlet of the circulation channel is located at a wall of theconnection flange perpendicular to the wall of the connection flangecomprising the inlet of the circulation channel. The result is that thecirculation channel consists of a first duct and a second duct, bothintersecting in communication, linked for example by means of an elbowedsection.

It should be noted that the circulation channel can optionally comprisethree intersecting ducts in communication, in the case where atransverse offset of the circulation channel is necessary before saidcirculation channel opens out at a wall of the connection flangeperpendicular to the wall of the connection flange comprising the inletof the circulation channel. There can then be noted the presence of anintermediate duct located between the first duct and the second duct.

According to one feature of the invention, the circulation channel opensonto a nozzle forming a projection from a wall of the connection flangeand intended to cooperate with a storage bottle. As mentionedpreviously, the outlet of the circulation channel of the connectionflange, more precisely the outlet formed at one end of the second duct,is located on a wall perpendicular to the wall of the connection flangecomprising the inlet of the circulation channel of the connectionflange, more precisely the inlet formed at one end of the first duct. Anozzle protruding from the surface of the connection flange and having ahollow shape is arranged in the axial extension of the second duct ofthe connection flange. This nozzle is cylindrical in shape and comprisesseals on its periphery, advantageously made of flexible material such asrubber, for example. The cylindrical shape of the nozzle is centeredaround an axis of elongation of the nozzle. The nozzle is intended to beinserted into a circulation orifice of a storage bottle which will bedescribed later.

According to one feature of the invention, the transverse mechanicalfixing zone of the connection flange comprises a through-bore. In otherwords, at the level of the transverse mechanical fixing zone, a borepasses right through the connection flange, in a direction parallel tothe axis of elongation of the nozzle of the circulation channel. Thisbore is configured to receive a fixing means, for example a screw.

According to one feature of the invention, the through-bore of theconnection flange is smooth to ensure the passage of the fixing meanswhich will be screwed to the storage bottle as will be described below,the fixing means making it possible to ensure a function of keeping theconnection flange in place with respect to the storage bottle.

The invention also consists of a heat exchange system for a vehiclecomprising a first heat exchanger and a second heat exchangerconstituting a refrigerant circulation circuit, each exchangerconforming to what has been described above, characterized in that afirst bearing surface of the first connection flange of the first heatexchanger is in direct contact with a second bearing surface of thesecond connection flange of the second heat exchanger.

Being in accordance with the description given above, the heatexchangers are both of parallelepipedal shape and each have a connectionflange on their lateral surface. The two connection flanges also conformto the description given above. They therefore both comprise acirculation channel as well as a transverse mechanical fixing zone. Eachtransverse mechanical fixing zone extends so that there is directcontact between them. The transverse mechanical fixing zonesrespectively comprise complementary shapes from one transversemechanical fixing zone to the other.

In one embodiment, each connection flange comprises a longitudinalportion which extends mainly along the plane of elongation of the heatexchanger which is specific to it, and a transverse portion whichextends mainly in a direction perpendicular to the plane of elongationof the heat exchanger which is specific to it, the transverse mechanicalfixing zone being formed by or in this transverse portion.

The first connection flange may have substantially the shape of a block,with the longitudinal portion and the transverse portion havingsubstantially equivalent dimensions while the second connection flangecomprises a mainly longitudinal portion, that is to say that thetransverse portion of the second connection flange consists of a tab ofsmall dimensions compared with that of the longitudinal portion, the tabforming a projection perpendicular to the longitudinal portion. The tabof the second connection flange forms the second mechanical fixing zone,presenting a bearing surface for the block shape of the first connectionflange.

According to one feature of the invention, the heat exchange systemcomprises a storage bottle. This storage bottle is connected to the twoconnection flanges by means which will be described below. The storagebottle is substantially cylindrical and allows the refrigerant to bemaintained in the liquid phase.

According to one feature of the invention, the storage bottle iscylindrical, comprises a bottom wall arranged opposite the connectionflanges, the bottom wall comprising circulation orifices configured toaccommodate nozzles present at the ends of the circulation channelspresent in the connection flanges.

The storage bottle is connected to the connection flanges by means ofnozzles arranged at the outlet of the circulation channels. During theassembly of the heat exchange system, the bottom wall of the storagebottle is arranged opposite the connection flanges so that the orificesmade in the bottom wall coincide with the positioning of the nozzles ofthe two connection flanges once the latter are fitted against oneanother. The nozzles of the connection flanges are therefore eachinserted into an orifice present in the bottom wall of the storagebottle, which participates in closing the refrigerant circuit within theheat exchange system. The refrigerant first of all circulates within thefirst heat exchanger, then in the circulation channel of the connectionflange of the first heat exchanger to the storage bottle via the nozzleinserted therein. After treatment of the fluid inside the storagebottle, the storage bottle being configured to allow internalcirculation of fluid with an inlet at the bottom wall and an outlet atthis same bottom wall, the refrigerant can therefore circulate in thecirculation channel of the second connection flange of the second heatexchanger, then in the bundle of the second heat exchanger itself.

According to one feature of the invention, the heat exchange systemcomprises a single fixing means which secures the two connection flangesof the heat exchangers and the storage bottle. The bottom wall of thestorage bottle has a third orifice forming a fixing orifice separatefrom the two circulation orifices receiving the nozzles of theconnection flanges.

According to one feature of the invention, the orifices passing throughthe connection flanges and the fixing orifice of the storage bottle arealigned, in a coaxial manner, with respect to one another. In otherwords, each of these orifices has an axis of revolution and thesedifferent axes of revolution are substantially coincident when the heatexchange assembly is assembled.

The fixing orifice is configured to receive the single fixing means. Thefixing orifice can for example be threaded if the fixing means is ascrew in order to guarantee the retention of this same screw.

As indicated above, the connection flanges comprise a transversemechanical fixing zone each provided with a bore passing right throughthe connection flange in a direction parallel to the axis of elongationof the corresponding nozzle. The connection flanges are configured anddimensioned such that, when the connection flanges cooperate with oneanother, their respective through-bores face one another. The fixingmeans can therefore be inserted through each through-bore so as to beable to be inserted afterwards into the fixing orifice opening onto thebottom wall of the storage bottle. The fixing means has a length greaterthan the sum of the dimensions, in the corresponding direction, of thetwo transverse mechanical fixing zones so that the end of the fixingmeans can come out of the through-bores and subsequently be housedwithin the fixing orifice of the storage bottle.

According to one feature of the invention, the connection flanges areconfigured to form a planar cooperation surface with the storage bottle.Each connection flange comprises an upper face, corresponding to theface from which the nozzles project. The dimensions of the connectionflanges and the arrangement of the flanges between them are such that,during their cooperation, the upper face of each connection flange ispositioned on the same plane, thus forming a planar cooperation surface.The storage bottle can thus come to bear on this planar surface.

According to one feature of the invention, the two heat exchangers areat least partially superposed in a direction perpendicular to theirrespective plane of elongation. The heat exchangers therefore have asubstantially rectangular, parallelepipedal shape and are aligned withrespect to one another. Their dimensions can vary, but the heat exchangesystem always guarantees at least a partial superposition. The planes ofelongation corresponding to each exchanger are therefore parallel to oneanother, while being distinct and offset. Advantageously, in order toensure the correct operation of the heat exchange system, when the heatexchangers are placed at the level of the grille located at the front ofa vehicle, the heat exchangers are arranged across the air flow so thatthe stacking of these heat exchangers is produced in a directionparallel to the path of the air flow coming from the externalenvironment.

According to one feature of the invention, the first heat exchanger isused as a condenser and the second heat exchanger is used as a subcoolerat the outlet of the storage bottle. The condenser is capable ofensuring a heat exchange between a refrigerant circulating within thelatter and an incident flow of fresh air coming from the exterior of thevehicle. The subcooler makes it possible to create a second zone of heatexchange with a refrigerant cooled following its exchange of heat withthe flow of fresh air in the condenser.

Further features, details and advantages of the invention will becomemore clearly apparent upon reading the detailed description given below,and from several exemplary embodiments that are given by way ofnonlimiting indication, with reference to the attached schematicdrawings, in which:

[FIG. 1] is a general view of the heat exchange system according to theinvention,

[FIG. 2] represents a heat exchanger,

[FIG. 3] illustrates the cooperation of the connection flanges,

[FIG. 4] is a sectional view of the connection flanges illustrating thearrangement of the circulation channels,

[FIG. 5] is a view of the cooperation of the connection flanges from alongitudinal viewing angle,

[FIG. 6] is a view of the cooperation of the connection flanges from avertical viewing angle,

[FIG. 7] represents the storage bottle,

[FIG. 8] is a sectional view illustrating the securement of theconnection flanges and the storage bottle,

[FIG. 9] is a general view of the heat exchange system offering analternative to the arrangement of the connection flanges.

For the sake of clarity in the detailed description of the connectionflanges, the LVT reference frame will represent the orientation of theheat exchange system according to the invention. The longitudinal L andvertical V directions correspond to axes parallel to the twointersecting straight lines defining the plane of elongation of a heatexchanger according to the invention, and the transverse direction Tcorresponds to an axis perpendicular to either one of the directions Lor V, or else corresponds to an axis parallel to the flow of air causedto pass through the heat exchange system.

Moreover, the terms “first” and “second” mentioned during thedescription do not give a quantitative notion or a notion of orderingbut are used only to make it possible to differentiate certain elementspresent in duplicate within the invention. An element present induplicate within the invention but not being introduced by the term“first” or “second” designates an element which can be equally one orthe other of the duplicate elements.

FIG. 1 is a general view of a heat exchange system 1 according to theinvention. The heat exchange system 1 comprises a first heat exchanger 2used as a condenser, and a second heat exchanger 3 used as a subcooler.These two heat exchangers are of parallelepipedal shape and they arepartially superposed with respect to each other in a transversedirection, that is to say in a direction perpendicular to the planes ofthe heat exchangers. The heat exchange system is arranged within thegrille at the front of a vehicle so that an air flow 10 coming from theexterior successively passes through the two heat exchangers when thevehicle is in operation. functioning. Each heat exchanger is traversedby a bundle of tubes or plates depending on the type of heat exchanger,in which bundle there circulates a refrigerant allowing the exchange ofheat between the heat exchangers and the air flow 10 passing through theheat exchangers.

The first heat exchanger 2 is delimited longitudinally by a first sidewall 201 and a second side wall 202, each side wall respectively playingthe role of a fluid distribution chamber at the inlet of the tubes orplates, and of a collecting chamber at the outlet. The second heatexchanger 3 has similar side walls, with a third side wall 203 playingthe role of a fluid distribution chamber and a fourth side wall 204playing the role of a collecting chamber, it being understood that thecontinuity of circulation of refrigerant from one heat exchanger to theother implies that a third side wall 203 of the second heat exchanger 3playing the role of a fluid distribution chamber is arranged on the samelongitudinal side as the collecting chamber of the first heat exchanger2, located at the side wall 202.

In order to interconnect the portions of the refrigerant circuitrespectively included in each of the heat exchangers, the first heatexchanger 2 comprises a first connection flange 5 secured to the secondside wall 202, and the second heat exchanger 3 comprises a secondconnection flange 6 secured to the third side wall 203. According to theinvention, these connection flanges make it possible, on the one hand,to position the heat exchangers with respect to one another and, on theother hand, to connect the refrigerant circuit of the two heatexchangers, via a storage bottle 4 arranged mainly along a verticaldirection of elongation and which is secured to each of the connectionflanges.

Furthermore, the first heat exchanger 2 comprises a fluid inlet 7 formedon the first side wall 201, and the second heat exchanger 3 comprises afluid outlet 8 formed on the fourth side wall 204.

In order to ensure mechanical retention of the heat exchangers withinthe grille of the vehicle, fixing lugs 9 are located at the side wallsof the heat exchangers 2, 3. These fixing lugs 9 can provide aconnection between the heat exchanger 2 and the second heat exchanger 3or else can be connected to structural elements of the vehiclesurrounding the heat exchange system 1. The refrigerant enters the heatexchange system 1 through the fluid inlet 7 located on the first sidewall 201 of the first heat exchanger 2. The refrigerant circulateswithin the structure of the first heat exchanger 2 via an internal pipesystem to an outlet arranged in the second side wall 202 of the firstheat exchanger 2. The first heat exchanger 2 is thus configured toensure an exchange of heat between the refrigerant circulating within itand the air flow 10 passing therethrough.

The outlet arranged in the second side wall 202 of the first heatexchanger 2 opens onto the first connection flange 5 secured to thesecond side wall 202. This first connection flange 5 is here brazed tothe second side wall 202, but it is understood that its method of fixingmay be different as long as it allows a fixed position of the firstconnection flange 5 relative to the first heat exchanger 2, allowing ajunction sealed to the passage of fluid between the first heat exchanger2 and the first connection flange 5.

The first connection flange 5 comprises a circulation channel within itsstructure itself and which opens into the storage bottle 4, inparticular by having at least two intersecting communication ducts aswill be described below in more detail.

The storage bottle 4 is configured to guide the fluid vertically, in itsdirection of elongation, and bring it back to the outlet in thedirection of the second connection flange 6 which also comprises acirculation channel and which is connected, here by brazing, to thesecond heat exchanger 3, more precisely on the third side wall 203.

The second heat exchanger 3, like the heat exchanger 2, comprises aninternal pipe system where the refrigerant circulates, up to a fluidoutlet 8 located on the fourth side wall 204. The connections betweenthe connection flanges and the storage bottle, as well as thearrangement of the circulation channels within the connection flangeswill be explained in more detail below.

The fluid inlet 7 secured to the heat exchanger 2 and the fluid outlet 8secured to the second heat exchanger 3 are intended to be connected tofluid circulation pipes of the heat exchange system 1 that are not shownhere.

FIG. 2 represents the first heat exchanger 2 alone. The hot refrigerantenters through the fluid inlet 7 in the gaseous state. When passingwithin the internal pipe of the heat exchanger 2, the refrigerant iscooled by the air flow 10 and condenses. It emerges from the heatexchanger 2, at the connection flange 5, in a liquid/gaseous state. FIG.2 also makes it possible to observe the first connection flange 5 inmore detail, the storage bottle not being shown here.

The first connection flange 5 comprises a first upper face 31 whichextends in a plane perpendicular to the plane of elongation of the firstheat exchanger 2 and perpendicular to the vertical direction ofelongation of the storage bottle 4. The first upper face 31 comprises afirst nozzle 11 which projects vertically from the first upper face 31.

The first nozzle 11 is hollow to allow the fluid to pass between theconnection flange and the storage bottle, and it has here a cylindricalshape centered around an axis of elongation 41. This first nozzle 11comprises on its external face at least one element made of flexiblematerial, advantageously of rubber, so as to form a seal. This flexiblematerial can be an O-ring fitted into a groove made in an appropriatemanner on the external face of the first nozzle or else can be producedby overmolding directly onto the first nozzle.

The first connection flange 5 also comprises a first through-bore 13,here of straight cylindrical shape, which passes right through thestructure of the first connection flange 5, that is to say from thefirst upper face 31 to the opposite lower face. The first connectionflange 5 is able to cooperate with a second connection flange, asdescribed in the following figure.

FIG. 3 is a more detailed representation of the connection flanges ofeach heat exchanger. It also illustrates the cooperation of theconnection flanges with one another.

The first connection flange 5, as mentioned above, is secured, here bybrazing, to the first heat exchanger 2. The first connection flange 5comprises a first longitudinal portion 51 which extends along alongitudinal axis L, in the plane of elongation of the heat exchanger 2.The first connection flange 5 also comprises a first transverse portion61 which extends in the extension of the first longitudinal portion 51,substantially perpendicular to the latter and along a transverse axis T,in the direction approaching the second heat exchanger 3. The firstconnection flange 5 is generally in the form of a block, in particularin that the vertical dimensions of the longitudinal and transverseportions of this first connection flange are equal or substantiallyequal.

The first nozzle 11 is present substantially in the center of the firstconnection flange 5. This first nozzle 11 is therefore slightly offsettransversely along a transverse axis T relative to the first heatexchanger 2.

The first connection flange 5, more particularly the first transverseportion 61, comprises a first transverse mechanical fixing zone 21. Thisfirst transverse mechanical fixing zone 21 comprises in particular, asillustrated by a quadrilateral shape formed by short dotted lines inFIG. 3, a first bearing surface 19, the function of which will beexplained in detail below, the first bearing surface 19 being located onthe lower face of the first connection flange 5, that is to say the faceopposite to the first upper face 31, at the first transverse portion 61.

The first through-bore 13, as discussed above, passes right through thefirst connection flange 5 along a vertical axis V. The cylindrical shapeof the through-bore 13 is shown in FIG. 3 by transparency in dottedlines. The first through-bore 13 is arranged substantially in the centerof the first transverse mechanical fixing zone 21.

Furthermore, and as illustrated by long dotted lines in FIG. 3, theconnection flange 5 comprises a first transverse end face 71 whichcorresponds to a free end face of the first transverse portion 61 facingaway from the first longitudinal portion 51. As illustrated in FIG. 3,this first transverse end face 71 faces toward the second connectionflange.

The second connection flange 6, secured to the second heat exchanger 3,comprises, in a similar way to the above, a second nozzle 12, ofidentical appearance to the first nozzle 11, but which, unlike thelatter, is centered on the plane of elongation of the second heatexchanger 3, without transverse offset along a transverse axis T.

Furthermore, while the second connection flange is functionallyidentical to the first connection flange, and while the secondconnection flange 6 also comprises a second longitudinal portion 52 anda second transverse portion 62, arranged in the extension of the secondlongitudinal portion, this second connection flange 6 has a differentshape from the first connection flange 5.

The second longitudinal portion 52 extends along a longitudinal axis Lin the plane of elongation of the second heat exchanger 3. The secondlongitudinal portion 52 comprises a second upper face 32, from which thesecond nozzle 12 projects. The second longitudinal portion 52 alsocomprises a second transverse end face 72, facing the first connectionflange 5.

In the example illustrated, the extension along the longitudinal axis Lof the second longitudinal portion 52 is of a length identical to theextension along the longitudinal axis L of the first longitudinalportion 51 of the first connection flange 5 of the first heat exchanger2.

The second connection flange 6 comprises a second transverse mechanicalfixing zone 22, here coincident with the second transverse portion 62.As illustrated in FIG. 3, the second transverse mechanical fixing zone22 is in the form of a tab which protrudes from the second transverseend face 72 and which has dimensions relative to the vertical V andlongitudinal L axes that are smaller than the corresponding dimensionsof the second longitudinal portion 52.

The second transverse mechanical fixing zone 22 extends mainly along atransverse axis T, in the direction approaching the first heat exchanger2, and it extends perpendicularly the second longitudinal portion 52 atthe free longitudinal end of this second longitudinal portion 52, thatis to say away from the zone of fixing, for example by brazing, to thesecond heat exchanger 3. More particularly, the second transverseportion 62 forming the second mechanical fixing zone 22 extends from thelongitudinal free end edge of the second connection flange 6, along alongitudinal dimension smaller than the longitudinal dimension of thesecond longitudinal portion 52 and in the extension of the lower face,that is to say the face opposite to the first upper face 32, of thesecond longitudinal portion 52.

The upper face of the second transverse portion 62, or of the secondtransverse mechanical fixing zone 22, forms a second bearing surface 20,of dimensions substantially equivalent to those of the first bearingsurface formed on the lower face of the first connection flange 5.Furthermore, the second mechanical fixing zone 22 of the second heatexchanger 3 comprises a second through-bore 14 passing through theentire second mechanical fixing zone 22 along a vertical axis V.

The first connection flange 5 and the second connection flange 6 areable to cooperate with each other, in particular by complementarity ofshapes. Indeed, the longitudinal dimension along an axis L is identicalbetween the two connection flanges and their dimensions along a verticalaxis V and along a transverse axis T are adapted for cooperation. Thecooperation of the flanges with one another is represented in FIG. 3 bymixed dotted lines. Thus, during the assembly of the heat exchangesystem, the first bearing surface 19 of the first connection flange 5mentioned above rests on the second bearing surface 20 of the secondconnection flange 6, and the first transverse end face 71 rests againstthe second transverse end face 72. These two contact planes allow, onthe one hand, a precise positioning of the exchangers with respect toone another, and in particular their spacing in the transversedirection, and, on the other hand, a mechanical retention of oneconnection flange on the other. In the example illustrated, the firstconnection flange comes to rest on the second connection flange.

Furthermore, the precise positioning resulting from this cooperation bycomplementarity of shape makes it possible to align the through-bores 13and 14 facing one another to form a continuous through-bore from thelower face of the second connection flange 6 up to the upper face of thefirst connection flange 5.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the two connection flanges in cooperation,that is to say in their final position when the heat exchange system isassembled, in a section plane perpendicular to the heat exchangers andpassing through the nozzles, this sectional view making visible thearrangement of the circulation channels formed in the structure of theconnection flanges. For reasons of clarity, the heat exchangers are notshown in the figure. Each circulation channel has one end located at thebraze between the connection flange and the heat exchanger, and anotherend represented by the nozzle located on each connection flange.

As indicated above, the first nozzle 11 of the first connection flange 5is offset transversely with respect to the plane of elongation of thefirst heat exchanger and therefore with respect to the inlet of thecirculation channel of the first connection flange, while the secondnozzle 12 of the second connection flange 6 is in alignment with theplane of elongation of the second heat exchanger.

The first connection flange 5 comprises a first circulation channel 16extending from a circular inlet 24, located on the wall intended to bebrazed to the heat exchanger, up to the first nozzle 11. Therefrigerant, after having circulated in the heat exchanger, emerges atthis circular inlet 24 and flows in liquid/gaseous form within thisfirst circulation channel 16. The first circulation channel 16 is formedby the succession of three intersecting ducts in fluid communication,including a first duct 161, an intermediate duct 162 and a second duct163. The first duct 161 extends mainly in a longitudinal direction L.Since the first nozzle 11 of the first connection flange 5 is offsetwith respect to the plane of elongation of the heat exchanger, the firstcirculation channel 16 therefore extends subsequently along a transverseaxis T, via the intermediate duct 162. The first circulation channel 16then extends in a vertical direction V, via the second duct 163 whichextends the intermediate duct 162 and opens onto the first nozzle 11.

The second connection flange 6 comprises a second circulation channel 23extending from the second nozzle 12 to a circular outlet 25 located onthe wall intended to be brazed to the second heat exchanger. Within thesecond connection flange 6, the refrigerant circulates from the secondnozzle 12 to the circular outlet 25 while being guided by the secondcirculation channel 23, comprising a third duct 231 and a fourth duct232. The second nozzle 12 is centered with respect to the plane ofelongation of the second heat exchanger so that the second circulationchannel does not require an intermediate duct as described for the firstconnection flange. The second connection flange 6 therefore comprisestwo intersecting ducts forming the second circulation channel 23, thesecond circulation channel 23 extending along a longitudinal axis L viathe third duct 231 and along a vertical axis V via the fourth duct 232.

FIGS. 5 and 6 are views from two different angles of the cooperation ofthe connection flanges. FIG. 5 is a side view, from a viewing anglecoincident with a longitudinal axis L, and FIG. 6 is a bottom view, froma viewing angle coincident with a vertical axis V. Just as for FIG. 4,the heat exchangers are not shown here for reasons of clarity.

FIG. 5 illustrates more particularly the configuration of the connectionflanges when the heat exchange system is assembled and in particular thefact that, on the one hand, the first transverse mechanical fixing zoneof the first connection flange 5 bears on the second transversemechanical fixing zone of the second connection flange 6 by means ofdirect contact between their respective bearing surface 19 and 20, andthat, on the other hand, a contact plane is also formed by the contactbetween the first transverse end face 71 and the second transverse endface 72.

A first vertical dimension V1 corresponds to the vertical dimension ofthe first connection flange 5. A second vertical dimension V2corresponds to the vertical dimension of the second longitudinal portionof the second connection flange 6. Finally, a third vertical dimensionV3 corresponds to the vertical dimension of the second transverseportion or of the second transverse mechanical fixing zone of the secondconnection flange 6, forming a tab projecting from the second transverseend face 72.

As illustrated, the first connection flange 5 of a first verticaldimension V1 rests on the second transverse mechanical fixing zone ofthe second connection flange 6 of a third vertical dimension V3. Inorder to ensure that the first nozzle 11 and the second nozzle 12 arelocated at the same height to facilitate cooperation with the storagebottle, the heat exchange system is configured so that the first upperface 31 of the first connection flange 5 and the second upper face 32 ofthe second connection flange 6 are coplanar and participate in formingthe same planar cooperation surface 80. It follows from the above thatthe second vertical dimension V2 is equal to the sum of the firstvertical dimension V1 and of the third vertical dimension V3.

Furthermore, as described above, the cooperation position of theconnection flanges implies that the through-bores of each connectionflange 5, 6 are aligned. Thus, a fixing means 15 can be inserted throughthe two connection flanges 5 and 6. The fixing means 15 shown here is ascrew, but any fixing means capable of being inserted within the borescan be envisioned. The fixing means 15 comprises a head 151, which bearson the lower wall of the second connection flange 6, and a shank, thefixing means being dimensioned so that, once inserted into thethrough-bores, and the head 151 bearing against the lower wall of thesecond connection flange, the shank protrudes beyond the planarcooperation surface 80, here at the upper face of the first connectionflange, so as to be able to be inserted into a fixing orifice of thestorage bottle. It is understood that the tightening of the screw inthis fixing orifice of the storage bottle involves moving the head 151in the direction of the storage bottle and therefore pressing the secondmechanical fixing zone of the second connection flange against the firstmechanical fixing zone of the first connection flange, and pressing allthe flanges against the storage bottle.

FIG. 6 makes more particularly visible the head of the fixing means 15as well as the arrangement of the transverse mechanical fixing zones ofthe connection flanges 5 and 6 with respect to one another. This viewingangle makes it possible to observe that the first connection flange 5comprises a chamfer 26, also visible in FIG. 5, at the junction edgebetween the lower face and the first transverse end face 71, that is tosay the edge able to face the junction between the second transverse endface 72 of the second connection flange and the tab which projects fromthis second face and which forms the second mechanical fixing zone. Thischamfer 26 makes it possible to limit the mechanical interference whichmay occur during the cooperation between the connection flanges 5 and 6.

FIG. 7 more particularly represents the storage bottle 4. As indicatedabove, the storage bottle 4 is cylindrical or substantially cylindricalin shape. The storage bottle 4 comprises a bottom wall 28. It is thisbottom wall 28 which will interact with the connection flanges. Thebottom wall 28 comprises three orifices: two circulation orifices 17 andone fixing orifice 18 which corresponds to the fixing orifice mentionedabove and capable of cooperating with the shank of the fixing means 15.

The circulation orifices 17 are able to receive respectively the firstnozzle of the first connection flange 5 and the second nozzle of thesecond connection flange 6. The circulation orifices 17 therefore have adiameter suitable for receiving the nozzles of the connection flanges,taking into account any seals which may be included at the nozzles. Thecenter distance between the circulation orifices 17 is substantiallyequal to the center distance between the nozzles when the connectionflanges cooperate with one another with the transverse end faces 71, 72of each connection flange in contact.

The fixing hole 18 is also present at the bottom wall 28. When thestorage bottle is placed in the refrigerant system, the fixing orifice18 is opposite the through-bores superposed on one another. The fixingorifice 18 is suitable for receiving the fixing means, which thereforepasses through each of the connection flanges before being secured tothe storage bottle. If the fixing means is for example a screw, thefixing orifice 18 is threaded. As was specified previously, it can beobserved that a single fixing means makes it possible to fix theposition of the storage bottle simultaneously with the first connectionflange and the second connection flange. The head tends to press thesecond flange against the first flange and all of the flanges againstthe bottom wall of the storage bottle.

FIG. 8 is a sectional view of the connection flanges and of the storagebottle when they are secured to one another. For reasons of clarity ofthe figure, the heat exchangers and the fixing means are not shown.

As illustrated in the preceding figures, the first connection flange 5and the second connection flange 6 cooperate with each other via theirbearing surface and their respective transverse end face. The firstthrough-bore 13 and the second through-bore 14 face one another and thusparticipate in forming a continuous through-bore. The storage bottle 4is arranged at the planar cooperation surface 80, resulting from thecooperation of the connection flanges 5 and 6, so that the fixingorifice 18 of the storage bottle 4 is opposite the bores 13 and 14. Thisposition is obtained in particular by inserting the nozzles of theflanges into the circulation orifices of the storage bottle (not visiblein this FIG. 8). The fixing means, not shown in this figure, is insertedthrough the end of the second through-bore 14 and along a vertical axisV. The shank of the fixing means therefore passes through the secondthrough-bore 14, then through the first through-bore 13 up to within thefixing orifice 18 of the storage bottle 4. For optimum mechanicalfixing, the shank of the fixing means must therefore be long enough topass through all of the bores 13 and 14 and to extend over a substantiallength of the fixing orifice 18. The bores 13 and 14 are smooth in orderto ensure the passage of the shank of the fixing means withoutmechanical interference, while the fixing orifice 18 of the storagebottle 4, on the other hand, comprises a means for mechanicallyretaining the fixing means, for example an internal thread if saidfixing means is a screw.

FIG. 8 also makes it possible to demonstrate the importance of thechamfer 26 in order to avoid mechanical interference. As illustrated,the latter is opposite a fillet 27 (also visible in FIG. 5) included atthe second connection flange 6, at the junction between the secondtransverse end face of the second connection flange and the tab whichprojects from this second face and which forms the second mechanicalfixing zone.

FIG. 9 is a view of the heat exchange system 1 as a whole, illustratingthe interchangeability of the connection flanges. Indeed, FIG. 9 isidentical to FIG. 1, except for the fact that the first connectionflange 5 as described above is located on the second heat exchanger 3,and the second connection flange 6 as previously described is located onthe first heat exchanger 2. Thus, the shape of the connection flangesdoes not depend on the heat exchanger to which the connection flange isbrazed. According to the invention, it is important to have two flangesrespectively configured to ensure the passage of fluid between the heatexchangers 2 and 3 and the storage bottle 4, and to cooperate with eachother by complementarity of shapes. The shape of the connection flanges5 and 6 can therefore also vary, as long as they have a complementaritybetween them making it possible to obtain a planar cooperation surfaceto accommodate the storage bottle 4 as well as through-bores alignedduring the cooperation of the flanges so that they can allow the passageof a single fixing means making it possible to secure the connectionflanges and the storage bottle in a single operation.

The invention should not, however, be considered to be limited to themeans and configurations described and illustrated herein, and alsoextends to all equivalent means or configurations and to any technicallyoperational combination of such means. In particular, the shapes of theconnection flanges can be modified without harming the invention,insofar as they perform the functions described in the present document.

The embodiments that are described above are thus entirely nonlimiting;it will be possible, in particular, to imagine variants of the inventionthat comprise only a selection of the features described below, inisolation from the other features mentioned in this document, as long asthis selection of features is sufficient to confer a technical advantageor to distinguish the invention from the prior art.

1. A heat exchanger for a refrigerant circulation circuit comprising: atleast one connection flange fixed to a lateral surface of said heatexchanger, the connection flange comprising a circulation channel withinits structure and a transverse mechanical fixing zone able to cooperatewith another transverse mechanical fixing zone of another connectionflange of another heat exchanger.
 2. The heat exchanger as claimed inclaim 1, in which the transverse mechanical fixing zone comprises abearing surface ensuring cooperation by complementarity of shapes withthe other connection flange.
 3. The heat exchanger as claimed in claim1, in which the circulation channel is formed of at least twointersecting ducts in communication.
 4. The heat exchanger as claimed inclaim 1, in which the circulation channel opens onto a nozzle forming aprojection from a wall of the connection flange and configured tocooperate with a storage bottle.
 5. The heat exchanger as claimed inclaim 1, in which the transverse mechanical fixing zone of theconnection flange comprises a through-bore.
 6. A heat exchange systemfor a vehicle comprising: a first heat exchanger; and a second heatexchanger constituting a refrigerant circulation circuit, each heatexchanger being as claimed in claim 1, wherein a first bearing surfaceof the first connection flange of the first heat exchanger is in directcontact with a second bearing surface of the second connection flange ofthe second heat exchanger.
 7. The heat exchange system as claimed inclaim 6, in which a storage bottle is included.
 8. The heat exchangesystem as claimed in claim 7, in which the storage bottle iscylindrical, comprises a bottom wall arranged opposite the connectionflanges, the bottom wall comprising circulation orifices configured toreceive nozzles present at the ends of the circulation channels presentin the connection flanges.
 9. The heat exchange system as claimed inclaim 7, in which a single fixing means secures the two connectionflanges of the heat exchangers and the storage bottle.
 10. The heatexchange system as claimed in claim 9, in which the connection flangesare configured to form a planar cooperation surface with the storagebottle.